How to Grow Spinach

We suggest learning how to grow spinach - a vegetable considered a superfood, and one that is rich in nutrients. Spinach helps the body protect itself against cancer, heart disease, weakening bones, age related memory loss, and it aids in strengthening the immune system. Growing spinach is quite simple, as we'll explain below!

How to Grow Spinach: The Basics

Cooler regions/climates are best for growing spinach. Therefore, it is best to start growing spinach in early spring and late summer. In hot weather, spinach will bolt, and the spinach plant will begin using its energy for reproduction.

During bolting, the spinach plant will produce larger stems and smaller, pointed leaves. The older, larger leaves are still fine to eat if picked soon after bolting. If not picked, they will begin to turn yellow, losing energy required for reproduction.

Preparing the Soil for Spinach

Dig up the soil as soon as the ground can be worked. Add approximately 1 bushel (77.4 pounds) of manure/compost for every 50 square feet of garden. Mix in well so that you have a soil that is high in nitrogen and organic matter. When planning out how to grow spinach, keep in mind that spinach thrives in non-acidic soil (a pH of 6-7.5).

Planting Spinach - When and How

Planting spinach can be started as soon as the ground can be worked, or about 4-6 weeks before the last frost. Because spinach does prefer a cooler climate, it can be planted in the shade of other vegetable plants.

Watering Spinach

Growing spinach requires regular watering (keep the soil moist, but not saturated!). Give your spinach about an inch per week of water. If it looks like your spinach plants are wilting, increase your watering slightly, and see how the plants respond. To help retain moisture in the soil, lay a light layer of mulch around the spinach plants.

Weeding Spinach

Pulling weeds out from around the spinach plants can damage the roots of the spinach, so weed gently. A light layer of mulch around the spinach plants will usually aid in keeping down the weeds.

Harvesting Spinach

Spinach can be harvested as soon as the leaves reach your desired size. To extend your harvesting spinach season, harvest only the more mature outer leaves, and the leave the rest to mature later.

If the spinach begins to bolt, harvest the entire crop immediately by cutting each plant at the base.

How to Grow Spinach - Conclusion

We wish you the best and hope that you have learned all that you need to know to start spinach. If you already grow great spinach, please share your growing spinach tips with us. We'll add your valuable advice to this page, and name you as contributor(if you wish!).